(BALTIMORE, MD) — (February 18, 2011) —“Diamond Comic Distributors proudly announces the winners of the 2010 Diamond Gem Awards, recognized within the comic book industry as the pinnacle of sales achievement for comic book artists, writers, publishers, and industry executives who work in one of America's most unique art forms.

"We're proud to honor the top-selling products from last year,” said Diamond President and CEO Steve Geppi. “We congratulate the 2010 Gem Award winners, who truly deserve this recognition as the valued publishers and suppliers that keep our industry growing.”

For the second year running, DC Comics took the Comic Book Publisher of the Year award in 2010 for the multi-million dollar comic book specialty market. DC also took home the most Gem Awards with ten, matching their total for 2009, with notable awards including Comic Book of the Year Under $3.00 for Brightest Day #1, Comic Book of the Year Over $3.00 for Batman: The Return #1, and Original Graphic Novel of the Year for J. Michael Straczynski and Shane Davis' best-selling Superman: Earth One hardcover.

"Ten Gem Awards! For a second year in row! A great big thank you to all of our retailers around the world for this unprecedented show of support!" said DC Comics’ Bob Wayne, Senior Vice President, Sales.

Marvel Comics took home two Gem Awards, both for Mark Millar and John Romita, Jr.'s best-selling creator-owned series Kick-Ass. The collected edition of the first series, the Kick-Ass Premiere hardcover was the Best Licensed TP/HC of the year, and Kick-Ass 2 #1 was the Best Licensed Comic Book of the Year.

Oregon publisher Dark Horse Comics was recognized as the Manga Publisher of the Year for their wide line-up of titles, ranging from the Neon Genesis Evangelion spin-offs to Oh My Goddess! and many more. Image Comics had the Best Reprint TP/HC of the Year with The Walking Dead Volume 13: Too Far Gone, the latest volume of Robert Kirkman's best-selling zombie series (and the basis for AMC's top-rated television series).

Other publishers taking home Gem Awards include BOOM! Studios as 2010's Comic Book Publisher of the Year Under 4% Market Share for the second year running; Oni Press with the Best Indie Graphic Novel of the Year with Scott Pilgrim's Finest Hour, the sixth and final volume of Bryan Lee O'Malley's series; and Yen Press with the Best Manga of the Year with Twilight: The Graphic Novel Volume 1, the first volume of a 2-part adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's best-selling vampire romance.

The Gem Awards are selected in a three-step process that is based on quality, creativity, and their overall sales impact. Nominees were selected by a panel of Diamond industry professionals from all products shipped in 2010 and then voted on by the most critical segment that serves the comic book-buying public — comic book specialty retailers across the United States and abroad.